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world news Diamars 12 Juli 2022

Abe’s party vows to finish his work after win in Japan vote

(AP) — Days after former Japa- among members of that faction.
nese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s “The absence of Mr. Abe and his grip
assassination, his party vowed to on power in the party could give Mr.
use its victory in a parliamentary Kishida more of a free hand to take
election to achieve his unfinished his own initiative,” said Koichi Na-
goals, including strengthen- kano, a professor of international pol-
ing the military and revising the itics at Tokyo-based Sophia Universi-
country’s pacifist, postwar con- ty. Kishida has enjoyed relatively high
stitution. approval ratings for his perceived ef-
fort to listen to the people. That sug-
While the comfortable majority se- gested support could be growing for
cured Sunday by the governing Lib- his more moderate stance — and
eral Democratic Party and its junior lessening for Abe’s more conservative
coalition partner Komeito could al- approach, Nakano said.
low Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to
rule uninterrupted until a scheduled But he added any significant change
election in 2025, the loss of Abe also in direction would be hard for Kishi-
opened up a period of uncertainly da and would take time. Much of
for his party. The promised constitu- Japan’s current diplomatic and se-
tional amendment, for one, faced an curity policies, such as the stronger
uphill battle. Japan-U.S. alliance and pushing for childcare as more pressing. part of the governing coalition, says
a free and open Asia-Pacific region changing the article in the constitu-
In a country where gun crime is van- as a counter to China’s rise, were set “We will inherit his will and tackle the tion that puts constraints on the mili-
ishingly rare, Abe’s shooting shook by Abe and remained unchanged, he issues he had to leave unachieved,” tary is unnecessary. In addition, any
the nation, and Japanese flocked to a said. Kishida said. amendment would need to secure a
Buddhist temple Monday to mourn majority of support in a national ref-
their former leader, while police Kishida said the response to the CO- To propose a constitutional amend- erendum to pass.
looked into a possible motive. VID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion ment, both houses of parliament need
of Ukraine and rising prices would to support it by a two-thirds major- Abe, who stepped down as prime
Kishida, meanwhile, welcomed his be his priorities. But he also vowed to ity. Sunday’s vote gave the LDP-led minister two years ago, citing health
party’s victory but also acknowledged push for reinforcing Japan’s national coalition and two opposition parties reasons, said at the time he regretted
that it was entering a new era with- security and amending the constitu- open to a charter revision that margin leaving many of his goals unfinished,
out the towering politician, who even tion, which only allows the country’s in the upper chamber of parliament. including revising the constitution.
after resigning as prime minister in military to act in self-defense.
2020 remained a force in the party Experts suggested Abe’s assassination On Monday evening, a wake was
and national politics. Abe, along with some of the coun- may have garnered his party some held for Abe at a Buddhist temple
try’s ultraconservatives, considered sympathy votes, and the governing in downtown Tokyo where Kishida
“Because we’ve lost a great leader, the document written by the U.S. in coalition alone now has 146 of the and top former and current political
undeniably we could be affected in the wake of World War II a humili- house’s 248 seats. All four parties leaders, as well as ordinary mourn-
many ways,” Kishida said. “Our party ation and have long sought to give a together control 179. That group of ers, paid tribute. Some broke down
must unite as we face difficult issues.” greater international role to the coun- four parties also has the necessary in tears.
try’s military, called the Self Defense seats in the more powerful lower
Experts said Abe, a kingmaker and Force. But many in the public are house. A funeral is planned at the temple
head of the largest wing in the party, more supportive of the document Tuesday by his family. The govern-
had no clear successor and his ab- and see addressing the pandemic Still, it’s far from clear sailing: Ko- ment is expected to hold a separate
sence could trigger a power struggle and the soaring cost of food, fuel and meito, the centrist party that forms memorial service at a later date.

Sri Lankans converge on presidential palace

(AP) — Hundreds of Sri Lankans leaguered president. airy verandas, plush living rooms and agree on a unity government.
jostled Monday to use the vast ar- spacious bedrooms, a garden swim-
ray of exercise machines in the For many who had traveled on over- ming pool and neatly manicured But protest leaders have said they will
private gym of the presidential crowded trains and buses from out- lawns. not leave the official buildings until
palace, lifting weights and run- side the capital, Colombo, this was both actually resign.
ning on treadmills inside a facil- the first time they had laid eyes on a On Saturday, thousands of angry Sri
ity that was, until now, the exclu- residence so grand. The colonial-era Lankans descended on the residence For months, demonstrators have
sive domain of the country’s be- structure was a staggering sight, with in fury against President Gotabaya camped outside Rajapaksa’s office,
Rajapaksa, who they blame for an demanding he quit for severely mis-
unprecedented economic meltdown managing the economy. Many have
that has throttled the lives of the na- accused him and his powerful, dynas-
tion’s 22 million people. They turned tic family, which has ruled Sri Lanka
over barriers and then swarmed the for nearly two decades, of corruption
lawns to enter the palatial residence and policy blunders that tipped the
and occupy it. island nation into crisis.

Two days later, people continued to People’s patience has grown increas-
stream in, flocking to it like a tourist ingly thin, with the crisis sparking
attraction, marveling at the paintings shortages of fuel, medicine, food and
inside and lounging on the beds piled cooking gas. Authorities have tem-
high with pillows. porarily shuttered schools, while the
The charged events led to both lead- country relies on aid from India and
ers agreeing to step down — Rajapak- other nations as it tries to negotiate a
sa, who has not been seen publicly or bailout with the International Mon-
heard from since, said he would leave etary Fund. Wickremesinghe said re-
office Wednesday. Prime Minister cently that negotiations with the IMF
Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would were complex because Sri Lanka was
depart as soon as opposition parties now a bankrupt state.